St. John’s is a local shoppers paradise! From spirits to crafts, jewelry to fine art, shopping local for Christmas is easy and affordable. Traveling to St. John’s and want to bring a piece of the island home to place under the Christmas tree? Destination St. John’s has you covered! From now until Christmas we will be running daily blogs that focus on shopping local for your holiday treats. Each blog will feature a different retailer, their most exciting products and why buying local is so important to them. Click the links below for more info!

Despite the forecast of cloud and rain we headed to Woody Point in the afternoon of August 18 to see the last “Charlie and Mena” show of the season. The “Charlie and Mena” concert features Charlie Payne on various accordions and singer Mena Lodge on guitar and is part of Gros Morne Summer Music. They were joined by guitarist Darren Vincent and they put on a fine performance featuring Newfoundland music. It was held at the Heritage Theatre in Woody Point which is a great old building that Charlie Payne carefully restored.

My last two days were busy visiting the Johnson Geo-Centre, the Railway Coastal Museum, The Rooms, meeting with Mark Hiscock from Shanneyganock, twacking, listening to Stan Picket and the Rocket Players, a visit to the Newfoundland and Labrador Craft council...and enjoying my last....iceberg

Now entering it's 11th year, The Leyton Gallery of Fine Art carries some of the most important rising national and international artists living and working in Eastern Canada. Works range from realism to emotionalism to abstract symbolic work. They carry paintings, prints, and sculpture and will ship anywhere in the world. I sat down with owner Bonnie Leyton and Manager Tia Connolly to talk art, community and their unique venue.

When most people think about Labrador, chances are they don’t think about catching a show at the theatre. However, the arts scene in Labrador is very much alive, and the fall line up for the Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre promises some amazing province-wide talent.

Gros Morne is an outdoor mecca for visitors with over 100km of trails, breathtaking vistas and world class experiences; however what adventures await when Mother Nature decides not to cooperate? Here are our choice picks for rainy day adventures throughout the park.

Our city isn’t short of museums, galleries, historic sites, and unique attractions. Meet new people, hear our stories, and learn something new. Each of these places will bring you a colourful experience you won’t soon forget.

If you recall, our last stop was in North West River. Although we had tentatively planned to leave there mid day, I often lose sight of time when I follow my nose so it was dusk when we bid farewell to this region and hit that long long (albeit relatively new) road to Cartwright. Did I say that road was long? I should have known we wouldn’t get there before midnight.

Even though I knew that Happy Valley Goose Bay was the hub of Labrador, I was surprised to find a town of 7,500+ people with stores, restaurants, pubs, fast food outlets, churches, recreational facilities, building supply outlets, hotels—ad infinitum. Bit of a shock after driving long stretches without seeing neither man nor beast. (Remember those long, long, very long and straight dirt roads I was talking about?)

t. John’s is full of colourful characters; People who always have a story to tell. Laura Higenell, is one of those characters. I met with Laura when I first visited the Quidi Vidi Village Plantation. Her artistic, spirited personality exudes a passion for art and Newfoundland. I was surprised to discover that someone who was so passionate for this place wasn’t actually from here.

"Hmm, this is really going to be something", I thought as I sat in the car on the way to the Quidi Vidi Village Plantation. My co-worker had just filled me in on what to expect and I couldn't wait to hop out of the car the second we pulled into the parking lot.

Over the past several years we have been making more trips to explore Central Newfoundland. Last year we enjoyed our first ever visit to Conne River and seeing other places on the Connaigre Peninsula along the south coast of the province. This year we decided to head to Newtown on the northeast coast with the specific goal of visiting the Barbour Living Heritage Village. Not only had we never been along this shore but the Barbour Living Heritage Village is also featured on the cover of this year’s Newfoundland tourism map and booklet.

Tonight I spent a magical evening amongst the subtle glow of lanterns at the annual St. John’s Lantern Festival. The festival is a fundraiser for Victoria Park in St. John’s historic west end and runs for one day on the last full weekend of July every year.

The Rooms' Junkosphere exhibit, brainchild of artist and dancer/choreographer Nicola Hawkins, is a commentary on how we create, process and throw away all the junk from our accumulated lives - and the impact it has on our fragile environment.